Good times

I haven't updated for a while because I always think I need a lot of great information and pictures and I just don't have a lot of time for that. So... I'll just give a little update. We are doing well here in Abilene. Things have been really busy but I have actually made great strides in balancing out my life. I have been going to bed early (which I hate because I'm missing out on the "me" time where I can watch 24 on Netflix and fold the laundry or whatever in peace), I joined the YMCA and have been going to work out about 4 times a week (would be more but kids get sick or something comes up and I miss a day or two here and there but I'm actually enjoying this!), I've been trying to eat healthier (which is an up and down thing depending on the day), and I've cut out a lot of my volunteer responsibilities (I even told the PTA president that I will not resume my position next year, which was SO hard to do because I love it).

So, after feeling out of balance for a long time, I think I'm making some great strides. I'm far from perfectly balanced but I'm trying. I think it's actually made me more lazy to sleep more and not have something scheduled all the time. :) I actually sat down and read a book yesterday. Didn't accomplish much else! So maybe I've gone to the other side of the balance beam... A work in progress. :)

I took Lucas for his 15 month check up yesterday and he's doing really well. Hasn't gained much weight since his 12 month but he's always been a big boy and now he's running around everywhere, so it makes sense. We are ditching the bottle since I've been halfheartedly trying for a while and then the dr said something about catching him with a bottle, like it was a bad thing. And I've never had a baby use the bottle this long (not that it's horrible but I'd like him off it), so today should be interesting. :) He loves to bang his sippy cups on everything and chuck it across the room. Not so fond of trying to get a drink out of them... hmmm. :)

My dad got remarried on St. Patrick's Day, so we went to Kansas for Spring Break to be a part of that. I feel ok about it but it's kind of sad that my relationship with my dad will change again. After Mom died, we actually got a lot closer. Now I feel like he'll be involved in his "new life" and not need me as a listening ear anymore. His new wife has two daughters, a son-in-law, and a grandson, so it's kind of neat that our family has grown. I still miss my mom a lot.

The girls were flower girls, along with my brother's daughter, Maren. They were so beautiful and I WILL put some pictures on here if I ever get any. I was really busy doing things at the wedding and took maybe 4 pictures. I'm waiting for people to share their pictures with me! The girls felt so special. Ben played Pachebel's Canon in D while they came down the aisle and he did a great job. I was holding Lucas a lot during the wedding and reception because there were a ton of people wanting to pinch his cheeks or hold him and he clung to me like crazy! :) I also realized that his new church shoes were uncomfortable for him (a little big), so he didn't want to run around. I figured it out at the very end and took off the shoes and then he was happy to wander around. :)

I got two new callings in March too. Thanks a lot, Bishop! ;) I was released as the Primary Pianist and am now the Relief Society Secretary and Youth Sunday School Teacher. I like them both but I am still a little busy on Sundays! Lucas will be 2 months away from nursery age on the Sunday after Conference but the nursery leaders said that I can go ahead and bring him then, since I'm having to find someone to watch him every week for two hours! Hooray!!! He will love it, I'm sure, and I will be so glad to not impose on people to watch my toddler every week!

For General Conference weekend (this weekend!), we are going to Dallas to see Ben's parents. We've been so busy that we haven't seen them since Christmas! That seems ridiculous since we're only 3 1/2 hours away! His parents decided to put in their papers to go on a mission and I'm so excited for them. We will miss them while they are gone but time is just flying by these days, so it won't seem like too long.

I'm grateful for good friends who listen to me, make me laugh, and support me in my endeavors to improve myself. I've been very blessed. :)